Are you connected? If you are a young adult or have info on someone who is (parent, DRE, minister), please consider signing up at ConnectUU.com. This is a wonderful site and database of UU campus ministry and young adult groups. The Young Adult office has worked very hard with young adults from the UU community to build this site and they administer the daily upkeep and information collection.
The Southwestern UU Conference is committed to supporting vibrant, multi-generational communities of faith. One of the key elements in this goal is welcoming and integrating young adults (ages 18-35) into the lives of our congregations.
In working toward this end, we implemented a "Young Adult Revival" in the district during the the 2008-2009 church year. Over the course of the year, district staff researched developments in young adult ministry across many denominations, communicated with our district congregations to assess needs, and hosted a series of workshops and consultations designed to equip our local congregations with tools to minister to and with this generation of new and current Unitarian Universalists.
Click here to join the SW District UU Young Adults Group on Facebook:
We are happy to announce that all materials used in our YA consultations this year are available free to download here at our website. Click the title of each resource to download directly to your computer.
Workshop PowerPoint Slides and Materials - Slides used in presenting our three workshop sessions
Friday Night Opening Session (PP Slides) - This session gathered participants after an opening worship service to communicate key concepts and listen to major questions and concerns for the weekend.
Saturday Inreach Session (PP Slides) - This session addressed how to build and sustain healthy young adult groups within a congregation.
Saturday Outreach Session (PP Slides) - This session centered around the issues of reaching out to a new generation of potential and current Unitarian Universalists while meeting relevant needs of the world.
Worship Resources
A Brief Guide to Taize Worship in UU Communities (PDF) - This short document addresses the history and style of the Taize form of worship. It includes practical advice on creating a space appropriate for this meditative worship style, sample orders of service, and a list of hymns available in our UU hymnals to use in creating a Taize service for your congregation.
Sample PowerPoint for use in UU Taize Worship (PP Slides) - This presentation is one example of how PowerPoint slides might be used in Taize worship for hymns and an order of service.
Additional Documents
Pre-Conference Packet and Readings (PDF) - This version of the packet was sent to our Houston participants prior to their arrival. It includes an outline for the weekend, resources on YA ministry, and lists of helpful questions and best practices regarding young adult ministry.
Additional Resources for UU Young Adult Ministry (PDF) - This document outlines a variety of additional resources that congregations might use in ministering to and with young adults. It includes web resources, UUA documents, RE curricula, and social media tool kits.
We're looking for your input: Do you have questions about young adult ministry or challenges that your community has faced? Can you offer your best practices and suggestions regarding this area of ministry? If so, please let us know!